Sammy Kasule

(Born in Uganda * – Died 27 April 2021), Sammy Kasule showed interest in music at a very early age when he built his very first guitar out of wood and tins. In school Sammy joined Katikamu Light College band beginning his lifelong career as a musician. Later he dropped school and first joined Super Kaumba and Les Noirs in the 1970’s. He arrived in Kenya in 1973 where he joined the band Les Noirs. Kasule joined Special Liwanza Band in 1976. He featured as a bassist and singer. In 1978 he was in the forefront during the formation of the Somajeko International Band. In 1978, Kasule was among the founders of the Makonde Band in Nairobi that was led by Greece-born Taso Stephanou. When Somajeko suffered a split, Kasule teamed up with Ali Magobeni, Vincent Otieno and Shaban Onyango to form the Jambo Talents Band. Kasule's biggest breakthrough was in 1985, when he founded Orchestra Vundumuna Band, which was based at the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi. Becauce of the political climate in his native country Uganda, Sammy moved to Kenya. During this period he played bass guitar for Vundumuna in addition to recording 2 of his own albums, Kasule and Muziki. The 1984 LP Kasule was a smash, spawning three hits, "Kukupenda”, "Ushirikiano" and "Shauri Yako”, Kasule's English-language version of Nguashi Ntimbo's hit song. As a singer and guitarist, Sammy is present on many Kenyan recordings made during the 1980s. He was a member of Orchestra Vundumuna, and as part of another group, Africa Jambo Jambo, was recruited to fill in as part of Orchestra Simba Wanyika during their 1989 European tour. Now living in Sweden since 1991, Sammy started a band named Makonde. The band is a rare mix of cultures consisting of musicians from several African countries and also some from Sweden. He continues to compose, sing and also plays the bass guitar.